NLGJA Chicago

06/04/2026

Join us for our upcoming Q***r Chicago History Tour for Journalists!

Led by historian Daniel Williams, this special Pride Month event will trace the path of a 1948 crackdown on Chicago's gay bars while exploring the stories that shaped LGBTQ+ Chicago.

🗓️ Sunday, June 14
⏱️ Tour starts at 3 p.m.
📍 Starting location: 801 N. Michigan Ave.
🍻 The tour will finish around 4:30 p.m. at Second Story, where we'll have a happy hour and Q&A with our tour guide.

RSVP now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/q***r-chicago-history-tour-for-journalists-tickets-1990702621128?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

05/04/2026

Wow! Thank you to EVERYONE who came out to our April LGBTQ+ Media Mixer–making it one of our largest and most energizing events yet!

Bringing dozens of LGBTQ+ journalists and allies in a room together was a powerful demonstration of the strength of this community.

Now more than ever, it's critical that LGBTQ+ stories are told fairly, accurately and with care. We are SO lucky to have such a strong network of storytellers in Chicago leading that work.

And a special thank you to photographer Ronit Bezalel for capturing these wonderful moments!

10/28/2025

We’re excited to announce our next LGBTQ+ Journalists Mixer! 🎉

Join NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists – Chicago Chapter for an evening of networking and connection on Thursday, Nov. 13 at Barcocina Lakeview (2901 N. Sheffield Ave.).

Meet fellow LGBTQ+ journalists and media professionals while enjoying complimentary appetizers. Allies are invited, too!

🌈 RSVP today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1902657472719?aff=oddtdtcreator
📍 Barcocina Lakeview | 2901 N. Sheffield Ave.
🗓️ Thursday, Nov. 13 | 6–8 p.m.

09/30/2025

NLGJA Chicago is partnering with PEN America and Freedom of the Press Foundation for a hands-on webinar to help journalists protect against online harassment, hacking and doxing.

📅 Thurs., Oct. 23 • 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT (virtual)

You’ll learn how to:
• Audit your social media accounts
• Tighten privacy/security settings
• Track and reduce your personal info online

RSVP here: https://pen-america-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Jjf7y0DDR86IaAAyhwvcNA #/registration

06/06/2025

Thank you to everyone who came out last night for Resisting the Rollbacks: Trans Rights in Chicago Journalism! 🏳️‍⚧️

We’re so grateful to our panelists for sharing their wisdom and lived experience:
- Jake Wittich (President, NLGJA Chicago)
- Luis Castaneda (Northwestern’s Q***r Media Association)
- Adam Rhodes (Investigative Reporters & Editors)
- Lu Calzada (Windy City Times)
- Claire Savage (Associated Press)

Special shoutout to Claire and Lu for stepping up last-minute to join the panel after two of our speakers woke up sick the day of—your insight made the conversation even stronger.

And huge thanks to Catering by Michael’s for surprising us with rainbow-themed desserts to help us celebrate Pride in style! 🌈🧁✨

📸: Joseph Stevens

06/02/2025

🌈 Join us at the Illinois Holocaust Museum for "Pride & Power: A Celebration of Legacy, Voice, and Visibility", an inspiring Pride Month event that honors LGBTQ+ trailblazers and storytellers.

🗓 Sunday, June 8 at 2:30 PM CST�
📍 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL�
🎟 Free with registration: https://ihm.ec/PrideAndPower

Panelists include NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists Hall of Fame members Mark Segal and Tracy Baim, who have spent decades shaping q***r media and visibility.

Presented in partnership with the Illinois Holocaust Museum, Windy City Times, Center on Halsted, The Legacy Project, The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, and OUTspoken Chicago.

***rMedia

05/19/2025

Don’t miss this important conversation on trans rights and journalism in Chicago 🏳️‍⚧️🗞️

On Thursday, June 5, we’re bringing together local journalists at Medill’s Downtown Campus to talk about how the media can resist anti-trans rollbacks and better serve trans communities.

🎤 With Chijioke Williams, Violet Miller, Adam Rhodes and Jake Wittich

🕠 5:30–8 p.m. | 📍Northwestern Medill - Downtown Campus (303 E. Wacker Drive)

Spots are filling up—RSVP now at tinyurl.com/NLGJAQMA

05/15/2025

We’re thrilled to announce the speakers for “Resisting the Rollbacks: A Panel on Trans Rights in Chicago Journalism”!

Join us Thursday, June 5 from 5:30–8 p.m. at Northwestern Medill’s Downtown Campus for an urgent conversation on how Chicago journalists are covering trans communities and pushing back against anti-trans attacks.

Our speakers include:
• Chijioke Williams (moderator) – Journalist and Podcaster
• Violet Miller (panelist) – Chicago Sun-Times
• Adam Rhodes (panelist) – Investigative Reporters & Editors
• Jake Wittich (panelist) – Windy City Times

📍 RSVP is required — reserve your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1354173753149?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/28/2025

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for the South Side LGBTQ+ Stories tour with NLGJA Chicago! 🚌 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

It was an incredible afternoon, exploring the rich and often overlooked LGBTQ+ history of Chicago’s South Side together.

Special thanks to our amazing tour guide, Mike McMains of Tours With Mike, for bringing these powerful stories to life! And big thanks to NLGJA - The Association of LGBTQ Journalists for helping make this event possible through its “Our Community“ initiative.

04/22/2025

🏳️‍⚧️ The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists – Chicago Chapter is hosting a special LGBTQ Book Talk featuring author and journalist Nico Lang and their powerful new book, "American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era."

📅 Friday, April 25
🕕 6:00 p.m.
📍 2129 N. Western Ave., Chicago

Come hear Nico discuss the stories behind the book, the resilience of trans youth and the importance of affirming journalism. Free and open to all!

Join Nico Lang for a book talk on American Teenager, their poignant debut novel about q***r youth, survival and resilience.